How to Clear Cache on Mac and Get Rid of Temp Files

A cache is where an operating system keeps data it requires to access certain web pages, apps, and more. It is a specific file on a local hard drive, which speeds up the retrieving process the next time the user would like to access the same data (website, graphic, etc.) on the Internet/remote source. In other words, there is no need to wait until the system downloads, say, all images again and again to access the same website. Thanks to this sort of files, any Apple computer, from Mac mini to MacBook Pro runs faster. So, what’s the deal? Why would so many people want to find temporary files and remove them? How come Mac users often ask, “Can I delete cache on Mac to make it faster?”

1) Write-around cache

which makes it possible for the write operations to be written to storage, avoiding the cache altogether.

2) Write-through cache

which writes data to both storage and cache.

3) Write-back cache

All write operations are directed to the cache, but after the data is cached, the write operation is finished.

By clearing the cache, a Mac owner frees up a particular share of disk space, which may be enough to make the machine speedy again. Leave only those cache files that help to load the most regularly attended websites and other remote sources. The sections below will explain the ways to erase cache on Mac.

By clearing the cache, a Mac owner frees up a particular share of disk space, which may be enough to make the machine speedy again. Leave only those cache files that help to load the most regularly attended websites and other remote sources. The sections below will explain the ways to erase cache on Mac.

Is It Safe to Erase System Temporary Files on Mac?

Some Mac owners hesitate whether it is safe to remove temporary system files and app cache? What if something goes wrong and the app breaks down?

No universal answer to the question exists in this situation. It all depends on the level of user’s experience: whether he/she knows which files to delete, or no. Anyway, through removing the cache from an Apple computer, it is not possible to face some viruses or malware. The caches are counter-productive: from one hand, they are meant to speed up the work of preferred browser or another application, and from the other, they refer to the types of junk over time as well. If it is possible to delete huge files, outdated items, login items, visual effects, or language packages, leave the cache to the end. Perhaps, you will not have to clear it after the seasonal cleaning. The outdated cache is the only type of cache, which should be removed for sure.

Before you go on reading, remember that it is possible to deactivate the usage of cache. Every web browser, from Google Chrome to Safari, has this option. However, mind that Internet surfing will become much slower after doing so!

Delete User Caches: Armed to Teeth with Terminal

Let’s start with the most difficult part. The method described below suits best for the experienced Mac owners only as the dummies may erase some of the critical files by accident. It may cause a severe system failure. On the whole, a user will need a Terminal command line and the Home folder. Note that until you finish the process by choosing Empty Trash, the junk will remain in the system.

On the example of Safari, explore the way to remove user cache with the help of Terminal.

Please keep in mind that you need to change “$HOME” to the title of your Mac’s home folder if it is different. If you are not sure about the way it sounds, apply the user identity command to discover it: id –un

After that, remove the target cache file by entering: rm

/Users/$HOME/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/Cache.db.

The browser will come up with a new Cache.db file automatically once the user launches another webpage. Reboot the browser and check disk usage once again by typing: du -h

/Users/$HOME/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/Cache.db.

Mind that once you apply the rm command, it will be impossible to revive the deleted items later. Perhaps, you should try mv command just to remove them for a while: mv

/Users/$HOME/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/Cache.db ~/.Trash/.

Such command puts the item into the user’s trash. Just choose Empty Trash to have it gone with the rest of the Trash contents.

Delete Temporary Internet Files of All Types: General Approach

It is possible to say that browsing history, cookies, and browser cache all belong to a single category of Mac’s junk called temporary files. As it was mentioned, they are useful in some cases, but it is still important to erase them from time to time. Do not allow such files to build up over time – run seasonal cleaning in one of the possible Safari locations. You may wonder where to find these temporary files.

A user may get rid of the history, cookies, and caches at the same time. To do so, stick to the following instruction.

1) Pick Safari in the upper-left corner of the main menu.

2) Choose Clear History and Website Data option. Another alternative is to access this option by choosing History in the desktop menu bar when being in the Safari browser, scrolling down and picking Clear History and Website Data feature.

3) Decide on the specific period of time you would like to remove the temp files. You may also eliminate all the saved temporary files with ease. Pick Clear History to complete the mission.

How to Delete Cache on Chrome?

As far as Google’s browser is the most popular among all computer users, the first thing to discuss is the way to get rid of the Chrome temporary internet files. Luckily, Google Chrome offers an effective and simple built-in mechanism for those users who decide to clear the data. You may either delete history in full or select the unwanted entries manually. The process looks this way:

1) Launch Chrome and go to its main menu (three dots, also known as the “burger” menu).

2) Select Clear Browsing Data.

3) Decide which type of data and caches you wish to erase for the certain period of time. To eliminate the entire data, just stop with “the beginning of time.”

Know a local cache location in Mac OS X to detect the rest of the hidden files of this type. Access these items via user Library folder/Cmd+Shift+GàGo to Folder command. Here are the direct paths:

In Firefox, Clear Cache Easily

Some of the Mac owners prefer Firefox, a famous browser with a cute logo. If you want to delete its history, it is important to know the right location. Start with selecting Preferences in the browser’s menu. Then:

• Pick Privacy & Security/Privacy tab in the Options menu.

Important: Select Clear Your Recent History in History. Switch the Firefox Will in case that link does not show up. Pick Remember history.

• Put the Time range to clear to Everything in the Clear History tab. You may vary the range based on your preferences.

Important: Remove the ticks from everything except for Cache in the list at the bottom. Check any box you like based on the type of junk you wish to remove. If there is nothing to observe, the arrow close to Details will reveal the possible alternatives.

• Select Clear Now option.

After the Clear All History window is gone, the system will delete all the items stored from the Firefox browsing activities.

How to Empty Cache on Safari?

What if Safari suddenly slows down? Check for the outdated extensions, plugins, network, or simply clear the history and other temporary files like a cache. If you search for the methods to clear Safari, you will most probably find two top solutions: a third-party app and Safari built-in tool for that.

1) Launch the browser.

2) Go to the Safari’s menu to display the Develop menu. Select Preferences. Choose Advanced and then “Show Develop menu in menu bar.” Shut down the Preferences tab.

3) Place the Develop menu down and select Empty Caches.

4) Hold for several seconds. You will find that the browser’s caches have fully gone.

Watch out! The system will not ask you to verify the actions, so make sure nothing important is deleted.

With the help of Command+Option+Key, it is also possible to empty caches in Safari. It prevents a Mac owner from pulling down the Develop menu every single time.

Stop for a Second and Think about It… Another Side of the Coin

What about the adverse consequences of erasing temporary files from Mac?

Removing the temporary files can log out a user from the necessary, regularly attended websites.

The web pages will start loading slower after you erase the website data

Erasing browsing history means no more auto-fill option. It is a great feature, which allows skipping entering the entire site’s address or name – just start typing the first letters, and the smart system will understand what you mean based on your previous visits.

By getting rid of the cookies and cache, you risk losing customization features and personal preferences installed for particular Internet sources.

In general, the procedure is safe as it was mentioned before but has its drawbacks.

Deleting Cache with the Minimum Efforts: External Aid

Why would you search all over the Apple computer to detect and erase cache alone? It might be a rather time-consuming, boring, and even irritating in case your browser is overloaded with trash. Discover how easy it is to take care of the temporary files with the help of a third-party application from the talented developers. The only thing a system requires is making a couple of clicks on the way to clear browser.

No matter whether you prefer Mac’s native Safari, popular Google Chrome, or cute Firefox, a third-party cleaner will help to keep your browser fast and tidy. Of course, a user can review all the selected files to decide whether he/she wants some of those caches to stay or not. If you are looking for the browser’s junk alone, uncheck every option in the app’s scanning menu except for the System Cache Files and User Cache Files.